News brief

Iran increases uranium stockpile. The U.N. nuclear watchdog says Iran has defied international demands to rein in its nuclear program and has increased its stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels. In a confidential report seen Nov. 19 by The Associated Press, the International Atomic Energy Agency said that as of Oct. 26, Iran has just over 400 pounds of uranium enriched up to 60%, up 38.8 pounds since the last report in August. Uranium enriched at 60% purity is just a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels of 90%. The IAEA estimates around 92.5 pounds of uranium enriched to 60% purity would be needed to create one atomic weapon.